President Davis Letter Regarding the Chapel of the Holy Trinity

Brothers and Sisters in the Michigan District:

Everyone is invited to attend the Deconsecration Service of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity on Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m., at Concordia Ann Arbor, 4090 Geddes Road. The service is hosted by Concordia Wisconsin. There will be time between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to wander the campus and spend time in the chapel. You are asked to RSVP so that proper preparation can be made to host all those who plan to attend. Because of technological issues, livestream will not be available.

Immediately following the service, a time of fellowship and ice cream will be hosted by St. Paul, Ann Arbor and the Michigan District at St. Paul Lutheran Church; 495 Earhardt Rd; Ann Arbor MI 48105. You can park at either the CUAA athletic field, St. Paul School, or the Michigan District.

When places of worship are first being dedicated, congregations hold a Service of Consecration, which means the building is set aside for a holy purpose. A Deconsecration Service does the opposite, it declares that the space is no longer set aside for that purpose. This is a common, albeit sad, event for congregations that close or sell their buildings.

Indeed, this is a sad and painful time for many. Memories regarding people’s time at Concordia abound.

My story? As an eighth grader I first visited Concordia and told myself I would never go to such a dinky school. Of course God laughed. I did end up going there, courting my wife there, meeting lifelong friends there, surprisingly earning an athletic letter, serving as Student Body President, and was prepared for life as a Christian and a pastor. Through the years after attending Concordia, I took countless classes of confirmation students to visit, attended Boar’s Head Festivals, and met with people throughout the District for conventions. Additionally, I worked with President Maier and others when the school nearly closed more than a decade ago and worked with my family to provide a scholarship fund in memory of our parents.

Hopefully this doesn’t sound like the Apostle Paul and his listing of experiences. My point is that I share the same deep love for the school, the chapel, and the grounds that you do.

But now that the changes at Concordia over these past two-plus years include the sale of the main campus to the University of Michigan, it is right to hold such a service. I will be attending and participating not because of what did not happen but to celebrate what has happened in this space and on this land. I may regret that the work as we knew it does not continue, but I will celebrate the work that did happen there and that impacted so many for eternity. The Kingdom contribution that took place at 4090 Geddes Road cannot be undone—it redounds forever. That is to be celebrated.

This too. We trust in God for all things. Many have prayed and worked fervently for a different outcome. Without a doubt, God heard every prayer and was fully aware of every part of the situation. If in the economy of God it had to be different, it would be. It is not an easy one, but let’s learn a lesson from King David. When his son was ill, he did all he could before God to seek a different outcome. When God did not answer his prayer in the way he wished and the son died, he got up, washed his face, and went into the house of the LORD to worship.

And so the invitation to gather and celebrate God’s work through people’s time at Concordia. Despite all things, may our hearts be thankful for what has taken place at the chapel and 4090 Geddes Road as we keep in mind the main lesson always taught at Concordia: that in all things Christ might be preeminent. In joy. In sorrow. In gladness. In sadness.

Here is a suggested prayer for worship June 7 or 14:

Almighty God our Heavenly Father: We give thanks to you

for the many years of ministry at the 4090 Geddes Road Concordia Campus. We are grateful for the professors,

the things taught, the things learned. We are grateful for

workers raised up for all vocations inside and outside of

the Church. We are grateful for friends made and spouses

met. Please continue to guide your Church to find ways

to work together to raise up workers for the next generation sending out People of Hope: vigorously making known

the love of Christ. May Christ indeed be preeminent in all things. Amen.

May God bless us all, every day and everywhere steadfastly keeping our…

... eyes on Jesus ...

Rev. David A. Davis, President